Culburra Beach's Finn Hartshorne St John's dux with 90.5

Hartshorne, from Culburra Beach, admitted being named dux was something he "had not even considered".

"It's a huge honour, but honestly something I had no idea about," he said.

"I'd heard whispers but nothing had been officially confirmed."

Finn recorded an ATAR of 90.5, with the official confirmation of his status as dux announced at a special morning tea at St John's on Monday, where a number of the school's 96 HSC students returned to the school, meeting up with teachers and staff.

"I was surprised," Finn said "but extremely honoured."

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"It's been a tough two years with COVID etc. I worked hard but didn't expect these high results."

Finn studied chemistry, extension maths, biology, English, agriculture and religion, scoring a band six in agriculture and hopes to study chemical engineering at either University of NSW or University of Sydney.

"I would like to be involved in the agriculture sector, maybe agro chemistry," he said.

"A career where I can work both in the field and in research."

He said COVID certainly threw up some unexpected obstacles over the past two years.

"It was hard, many things were postponed, it was a difficult couple of years...there was a lot of uncertainty about it...it was almost demotivating," he said.

"I was lucky the subjects I chose I really enjoyed - I'm naturally curious so it made it a lot easier to study when you enjoy the subject.

"There was no real secret to my success....I just tried hard and gave everything 100 per cent."

He did say being able to get away from the books and exercise, either going for a walk, swim or surf was also a key.

Closely following Finn was Taniesha Angel Kovski.

St John's Principal Sandra Hogan said she, and the whole school, is extremely proud of the 2021 HSC students' efforts.

"It has been a very tough two years for this cohort of students," she said.

"But they adapted and showed a great deal of resilience.

"The staff also made sure as a group they got to enjoy their HSC. To undertake the opportunities other classes have experienced.

"They might not have done as many social justice activities as previous groups but they did take part.

"While they couldn't work with the St Vincent de Paul Society food van, they adapted and cooked meals for John Purcell House instead."

She said 13 of the 2021 class were included on the state's distinguished achievers list, securing a band six for their respective subjects.

She praised Jasmine Banghu, who actually placed fifth in the state in the Punjabi Continuers language course; Lily Thomas-McKnight who had artwork selected for ArtExpress, with a beautiful piece depicting her family's history which was showcased in Moree; while Byron Osgood was the VET Construction Student of the Year and has already started an bricklaying apprenticeship with Behrman Bricklaying.

Mrs Hogan admitted the HSC cohort was a "bit smaller than in past years" staying when COVID originally struck in Year 11, at least 30 students took up apprenticeship and job offers.

"I'm just so proud of this group," she said.

"They have been great leaders for our school and I hope they go onto big things at uni or wherever life takes them - hopefully being the best person they can be."

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